OK, this is how I'm reducing phone costs AND it is working GREAT!
First of all my husband and I have pre-paid cell phones. Together we spend about $16 a month on two phones. Mine is tracfone and his is boost mobile.
Secondly, we have signed up for SKYPE. We pay for an account which is approx $3 a month to make calls to land lines or cell phones. Now, what is cool about SKYPE is that you can set up the caller ID number to be your cell phone number. So, when I make a call with my SKYPE account the caller ID is the same as my cell phone from tracfone. SKYPE uses the internet to make calls. I also spent $25 on an adapter which allows me to use my regular house phone with the SKYPE account. I don't have to use annoying headsets.
We monitor our calls on or cell phones. Our kids know that if they call us, we won't answer - but we will call them right back on SKYPE . If it is an important call; of course we answer. If unknown numbers call... well, they can just leave a message and we can choose to get back with them OR NOT.
Anytime I want to make a call I use my SKYPE account which I also have on my IPOD touch so - I can make "free" calls with that when I'm on the road with my SKYPE app with WiFi available.
It's really not that cumbersome and it works GREAT.
Happy reducing costs!
